Information on Typhoid

For travellers intending to spend extended periods in developing countres, a typhiod vaccination may be the best protection, though possibly not recommended for all.

Typhoid is a bacterial infection of the digestive tract caused by Salmonella typhi. It is spread via food and water contaminated with fecal matter from an infected human carrier. Typhoid is often transmitted by person-to-person contact, especially through food handlers.

Affected Areas:
Persons travelling to or working in Asia, Africa, Central and South America, the Middle East or Mediterranean for one month or more may need typhoid vaccine. The risk of typhoid is highest for those going to countries with warm climates and underdeveloped sanitary facilities for sewage disposal and water treatment.

Symptoms:
Usually appear over the course of a month, and include:

• fatigue
• dull headache
• intermittent fever
• abdominal pain (typically in the lower-right portion)
• constipation

After the first week of infection, dark red "rose spots" appear on the outer portion of the upper abdomen and the lower chest.

Eventually, continuous fever, a cough may develop, and lassitude, disorientation, and sometimes delirium, "pea soup" diarrhea may appear, coma may occur, as well as intestinal bleeding.

Treatment and Prevention:

Typhoid vaccine is not recommended for all international travelers. Consider a vaccination if visiting developing countries (especially in Central and South America, Asia, and Africa) and staying for a prolonged period of time, eating adventurously, or venturing off the usual tourist routes into small cities, villages, and rural areas. Typhoid can be difficult to diagnose and treatment can be delayed. Also the organism is developing resistance to the traditional antibiotic treatment.

Only use safe drinks such as canned or bottled carbonated drinks, beer, wine, and beverages made with boiled water. In some places the possibility exists that commercial water bottles may have been filled with tap water and recapped; therefore, carbonated bottled water is the safest option (although be aware that some brands may be high in sodium).

Avoid ice cubes, and remember that alcohol will not make mixed drinks made with plain tap water safe. Consider non-disposable glasses and cups unsafe, too. Use straws.

Use safe water for brushing teeth, washing near your mouth and so on. You may want to take along an inexpensive immersion coil for boiling water.

An alternative is to treat water with Pristine (Chlorine Dioxide) with or without the use of a good mechanical water purifier. Removing sediment can be made easier with a pinch of alum.

Avoid leafy and uncooked vegetables and salads. Peel fruits yourself, taking care not to contaminate the inside.

Order meats, fish, and other seafood cooked well done and served piping hot. Bread is safest when served fresh from the oven. Avoid moist grain dishes (like rice) that have been allowed to sit at room temperature for prolonged periods.

Always avoid cold meat platters, mayonnaise, and creamy desserts, as well as buffets and products from street vendors. Don't eat or drink unpasteurized dairy products, including cheese and yogurt. To protect against any attempts by local vendors to "stretch" pasteurized milk by adding water or unpasteurized milk to cartons or bottles, stick to canned milk.

Don't swim or fish in polluted waters, and don't eat fish or shellfish that may have been caught in such waters.

Always wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer such as Purell or Isagel before eating.

The types of diseases vary with each destination. After browsing through this site you may also call or email Travel Health Help for more detailed information: 1-888-621-3952